SUPER
PIPELINE II
Taskset,
£9.95 cass, joystick or keyboard
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O Superlative
follow up with arcade quality graphics
O
16 pipelines, two helpmates,
hilarious intermissions
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At
first glance it seems as if this isn't any different
from its predecessor. On playing the game, though, you
soon notice, and feel, that it is.
The
original Super Pipeline had you in control of
a foreman and helper, maintaining a flow of water through
complex pipe networks, in order to fill a barrel. This
sequel follows the same theme, but is superior in every
way.
You
still control the self same foreman, only this time
you have TWO workmates to help you. One of the game's
most appealing features is the way they tag along behind
you, mending broken pipes where necessary, and intercepting
otherwise fatal nasties. Getting them to do exactly
what you want and when you want it, takes considerable
skill.
Pipe
4 is where things get tougher. You
have to fill three barrels and avoid the lobster.
At
the top of the screen is a tank containing a supply
of water. This supply is constantly flowing through
a tangle of piping, where it will pour into a waiting
barrel. Depending on which level you're on, there can
be between one and four barrels to fill.
Things
are not so simple, though, as unpleasant objects roam
the pipes and must be shot or avoided. These things
are in fact tools of various descriptions. Some cut
holes in your pipe and allow the water to escape: this
calls for immediate action, so you must lead one of
your workmates along to repair the damage. Even under
the attention of his hammer, holes take time to seal,
leaving your henchman open to attack from hostile tools.
If
you spring too many leaks and the water supply level
should get too low, all water will start to flash and
your score will decrease. If you don't fill all the
barrels before your score runs out, then you'll lose
a life.
Once
all of the barrels have been filled, one of eight excellent
and humorous intermission screens is played, and it's
onto a longer, more twisting pipeline.
You've
only got one barrel to fill, but a break
in the pipe is draining away your water.
You
can start with between one and eight lives and there
is a one or two player option. An amusing and brief
set of instructions exists within the game, and some
excellent, detailed ones come on the inlay.
The
graphics and sound have both been improved greatly.
Sprites are large and have excellent definition and
animation, each being outlined and well coloured. The
effect of water flowing is superb, and the animated
intermissions have real class -- in one a Sinclair C5
trike gets sledgehammered by one of your workmates,
while in another, caricatures of the Taskset team prance
across the screen.
The
quality music is easily recognisable as being that of
Taskset, and four or five jaunty pieces are played throughout
the game. The sound effects are very good, and very
unusual.
GP
.
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